Adams, Abigail (1744-1818)to Hannah Cushing

Summary of Content: Comforts Hannah Cushing on the death of her nephew, John Cushing Aylwin, who died aboard the U.S.S. Constitution after its battle with the HMS Java in December 1812. Adams quotes from Cato: ”How beautiful is death when earned by virtue / Who would not be that youth? What pity is it / That we can die but once to serve our Country.”